A World-Class Custom Show & Swap Meet - The 38th Annual Turkey Run

If you’ve never been to Florida’s famous Turkey Run, it might be time for a new addition to your bucket list. This four-day event is not only a Florida favorite, it is also the largest automotive event in the state, and one of the largest shows of its kind in the country. The emphasis has always been on fun with no classes, no judges, no trophies, and no stress. Pull in, park, and enjoy. This year more than 125,000 spectators delighted in the all-fun atmosphere, checking out a staggering collection of 4,859 vehicles. Vehicles started rolling in early on Thanksgiving day and stayed until Sunday afternoon, creating a rainbow of colors on the Daytona Speedway infield. Spectators from around the state, around the country, and around the world marveled at the collection of vehicles that encompassed every automotive type. Street rods, hot rods, pickups, customs, antiques, Pro Streets, restored originals, kit cars, concept cars and more, made arriving at each new row an exciting moment. But the almost 5,000 vehicles were only part of the story.

2/21This is just a small percentage of the 125,000 spectators who attended this year’s Turkey Run. This group is waiting to hear their number called as part of the thousands of dollars worth of door prizes given away during the weekend.

The Turkey Run is also famous for its huge collection of vendors and all 3,000 swap meet spaces were quickly sold out. That meant whatever you needed for your restoration project back in the garage was not only on hand, it was probably available in colors. The Car Corral also sold out with all 1,500 spaces gone by Friday. Lots of vehicles changed hands over the weekend with buyers driving in with the old family ride and driving home with something new. Adding even more to the fun is the Friday and Saturday afternoon door prize giveaways with thousands of dollars worth of prizes going home with new owners. The annual raffle car is also a tradition. Everyone always buys a ticket or two in the hope of winning the car but also because they realize that the host club, the Daytona Beach Street Rods, donates a substantial portion of the profits from the event to Volusia County charities, a tradition that they began back in 1974. Almost $300,000 has been donated in just the last seven years. In addition to the excitement during the day, nighttime activities just outside of Turn Four continued the fun with music, food, slow drags, tricycle races, a car teeter-totter, and more.

3/21From Clarkton, Missouri, Ronald and Brenda Smith displayed their genuinely unique crew cab pickup, listed as a ’30 Ford on their card but sporting General Motors side trim. We don’t have a clue!

If you should find yourself in the Southeast next Thanksgiving weekend, stop by to see a great collection of vehicles and probably to meet several old friends while you’re there. For more information on both shows, check out the website, www.turkeyrun.com. CT